**DWP to Phase Out Six Legacy Benefits, Urging Millions to Switch to Universal Credit**
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is pressing ahead with its significant overhaul of the UK’s benefits system, confirming that six long-standing benefits will be retired within the next year. This move forms part of a broader transition that began several years ago, which aims to consolidate “legacy benefits” into the Universal Credit framework.
Universal Credit, first introduced in 2013, was designed to simplify the welfare system, combining multiple benefits into a single monthly payment. The DWP’s process of transferring individuals from legacy benefits onto Universal Credit – termed “managed migration” – began in earnest in April 2023. Since then, the department has rolled out this transition region by region, keeping claimants informed through official communications.
The six benefits set to be phased out include Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), Income Support, Child Tax Credit, Working Tax Credit, and Housing Benefit. Tax credits, in particular, are at the front of the queue for closure, with the benefit already having closed to new applications and now scheduled to end entirely for existing claimants in April 2025. Recipients still on tax credits have been given notice that continued eligibility for financial assistance will require a claim for Universal Credit.
Anyone receiving a migration notice is given three months in which to submit a Universal Credit application. Failure to do so within the specified timeframe could result in a break in benefit payments, officials have warned, urging affected individuals not to delay.
The timetable has recently been accelerated for some groups. Notably, around 800,000 people currently on income-related ESA – either alone or alongside Housing Benefit – have seen their migration period brought forward. While initial plans postponed their transfer until 2028 or 2029, the DWP has now begun contacting this group as of September 2024, aiming to have all notices delivered by December 2025.
The government says the intention behind the change is to modernise the support system and ensure people receive the benefits for which they are eligible, all through a single streamlined payment. Universal Credit, officials argue, offers more effective support for those moving in and out of work, reflecting the fluctuating realities of modern employment.
The DWP has set a deadline of March 2026 for the full completion of this transition, after which all legacy benefits will cease to exist. According to the department, the phased approach is intended to ensure minimal disruption and maximum support to those affected, although some charities and advocacy groups have expressed concerns about claimants understanding the process and the risk of losing entitlement through missed deadlines or confusion over applications.
A comprehensive schedule for managed migration is available via the DWP website. It details the specific dates and steps involved for each group of benefit recipients, and outlines support available for those who find the process challenging. The department has promised ongoing communication and additional assistance for anyone struggling to make a claim or understand their next steps.
While proponents say Universal Credit brings welcome simplification, there remains significant public debate about the transition’s impact on vulnerable claimants. Critics warn that administrative hurdles, digital exclusion, and personal circumstances can turn an intended upgrade into a source of anxiety or financial hardship for those least able to cope.
As the rollout continues, millions across Great Britain are advised to keep an eye out for official letters from the DWP regarding their benefits status. For anyone unsure about what the changes mean for them, or needing support with the Universal Credit application, organisations such as Citizens Advice and local community groups are offering guidance and practical help throughout this pivotal period of welfare reform.